Communications Manager

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

The University of Michigan's Climate and Space section seeks a Communications Manager to shape strategic communications and expand outreach for the department. This role coordinates with faculty and staff, shapes messaging, and builds visibility for programs and events.

You will oversee the department website and communications tools, supervise the Communications Coordinator, and guide social media efforts while providing basic photography and videography support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of three years of communications and/or marketing experience.
• Demonstrated strength in communicating effectively with a diversity of people.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying deadlines.
• Excellent oral presentation, written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with a diverse population.
• Previous experience creating and implementing recruitment or marketing communication plans and demonstrated experience in producing print, website, social media, digital advertising, and other media communications.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic communications objectives for the department to build its profile with external constituencies and increase information sharing, community, and collaboration within the department.
• Direct faculty and staff engagement with desired audiences (university, community, students, faculty, etc.) for their research, programs, and events.
• Manage the department website and other communications technologies (e.g., WordPress, MCommunity) and post news stories and updates.
• Supervise the Communications Coordinator and provide mentorship.
• Develop an engaging social media presence and provide guidance on platforms and best practices.
• Provide basic videography and photography services, including maintaining a photo directory and YouTube channel.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

As part of the U-M College of Engineering, Climate and Space brings science and engineering together to advance understanding of Earth, climate, space, and planetary systems. Our interdisciplinary approach connects fundamental science with innovative technologies, modeling, and exploration.

Our work seeks to address challenges from climate change and severe weather to near-Earth space and missions beyond our planet. By combining discovery, engineering, collaboration, and creativity, the department advances knowledge while developing new tools and approaches to address some of the most complex challenges on our planet and beyond.

Job Summary

Reporting to the unit administrator, the Communications Manager is responsible for:

1. Defining the strategic communications objectives of the department

2. Directing faculty and staff engagement with their desired audiences

3. Managing the department's website and other communications technologies

4. Supervising the Communications Coordinator

5. Establishing an exciting social media presence

6. Providing basic photography and videography services

WHO YOU ARE

The ideal candidate for this position has enthusiasm for engineering, education, research, climate science, and/or space science, though this position requires no specialized knowledge of these areas.

They are interested in using talents in written communication and community engagement to reach diverse audiences. Ideal candidates have a background in administrative leadership, communications, project management, and/or marketing. You like to take an idea and run with it, bringing it to a fully realized product. They are a skilled visual, verbal, and written communicator, able to maintain both a laser focus on detail while keeping an eye on the big picture. They can independently manage large projects that require coordination among numerous stakeholders. They are adept with technology, both common and specialized. They have experience developing and curating materials with a wide reach.

Responsibilities*

• 30% - Define strategic communications objectives for the department to build its profile with external constituencies and increase information sharing, community, and collaboration within the department

• 25% - Direct faculty and staff engagement with desired audiences (university,community, students, faculty, etc.) for their research, programs, and events

  • Create related digital and print media (flyers, posters, graphics) using Adobe Creative Suite and Mailchimp email platform; effectively deploy marketing collateral

  • Work with the college Marketing and Communications team to promote newsworthy stories to be amplified at the college level

  • Promote departmental academic and research programs at events such as major/minor fair, national scientific conferences, etc.

• 15% - Provide supervision, mentorship, and guidance to the Space Institute's Communications Coordinator

• 10% - Manage the department website and other communications technologies (e.g., MCommunity directories) for necessary updates and enhancements. Post new content (news stories, updates, etc.) arising through interaction with faculty and students. Facilitate content management and news schedule in partnership with department leadership; consult and offer web content support to the department faculty, staff and students, and CLaSP partners using tools like WordPress

• 10% Develop an engaging and dynamic social media presence, providing guidance on platforms and best practices

• 5% - Provide basic videography and photography services, including designing and maintaining a photo directory and YouTube channel

• 5% - Other responsibilities as assigned

Required Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree and minimum of three years of communications and/or marketing experience.

Demonstrated strength in communicating effectively with a diversity of people. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects with varying deadlines. Excellent oral presentation, written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills with a diverse population, are critical.

Previous experience creating and implementing successful recruitment or marketing communication plans and demonstrated experience in producing print, website, social media, digital advertising, and other media communications.

No experience in STEM fields is required, but curiosity about the world around you and how communications fits into it is.

Desired Qualifications*

Five or more years of communications and/or marketing experience.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checksare performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.